Splitgate Returns! Can This Halo-Portal Hybrid Survive Its Second Chance?

Remember Splitgate? The Halo-meets-Portal shooter that took the gaming world by storm for a hot minute? Well, after a year that can only be described as…turbulent, it's gearing up for a comeback. 1047 Games just announced at the PC Games Show that Splitgate 2 is being reborn as Splitgate: Arena Reloaded, launching on December 17th. And from what they're saying, it sounds like they're really going back to basics.

Splitgate Returns! Can This Halo-Portal Hybrid Sur...

The goal, according to 1047 Games Design Director Josh Watson, is to rebuild the game "from the ground up." He says they're keeping what worked in both versions of Splitgate and ditching the stuff that didn't resonate with players. In a video announcement, Watson cited Unreal Tournament, Quake, and, of course, Halo as key inspirations. It's a solid pedigree to be sure. I remember sinking hours into Unreal Tournament back in the day – the fast-paced, no-nonsense action was addictive. Hopefully, they can recapture some of that magic.

So, what does this "back to basics" approach actually mean? Well, say goodbye to the Factions and Abilities introduced in Splitgate 2. Arena Reloaded is aiming for a more "classic arena combat" experience. They're also revamping the progression and ranked systems, and, crucially, reducing prices in the in-game store. Let's be honest, those microtransactions were a major pain point for players when Splitgate 2 first launched, so this is a welcome change. Streamlining the experience seems to be the core mantra here.

GameSpot reports that 1047 Games is really emphasizing that old-school FPS feel, stripping away those abilities and other features that didn't quite land the way they hoped. It's a bold move, and one that suggests they've been listening closely to the community feedback. Which, honestly, is exactly what they needed to do.

And it's not just about taking things away. Splitgate: Arena Reloaded is also introducing five brand new maps, six maps that have been "fully reworked," three new Primary Weapons, and a Railgun power weapon. 1047 Games is stressing that all these additions are based on the feedback they’ve collected from community playtesting. That’s encouraging. Public playtesting is a great way to iron out any kinks and ensure the game is actually fun for the people who are going to be playing it.

The previous Splitgate 2 beta is officially ending on December 4th, and the game will go offline before the relaunch. Just like Splitgate 2, Splitgate: Arena Reloaded will be free-to-play on PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. It'll be interesting to see if this relaunch can recapture the initial hype and turn Splitgate into the enduring arena shooter it once promised to be. Here's hoping they've learned from their mistakes and are ready to deliver a truly great game.